Early settlers gave this nameto several large Eucalypts, from the hardness of their bark,especially to E. leucoxylon, F. v. M., and E. resinifera, Smith. In Queensland it is applied to E. siderophloia, Benth. See also Leguminous Ironbark,and Lemon-scented Ironbark.
1802. G. Barrington, `History of New South Wales,' c. viii.p. 263:
«A species of gum-tree, the bark of which on the trunk is thatof the ironbark of Port Jackson.»
1830. R. Dawson, `Present State of Australia,' p. 183:
«It was made out of a piece of bark from a tree calledironbark (nearly as hard when dry as an English elm-board).»
1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discoveryand Exploration of Australia,' vol. ii. p. 45:
«But this gradually changed to an ironbark ( Eucalyptusresinifera) and cypress-pine forest.»
187. T. Laslett, `Timber and Timber Trees', p. 199:
«The Ironbark-tree ( Eucalyptus resinifera) is . . .widely spread over a large part of Australia. . . . A loftyforest tree of moderate circumference. . . . It is believed tohave been named as above by some of the earliest Australiansettlers on account of the extreme hardness of its bark; but itmight with equal reason have been called ironwood. The wood isof a deep red colour, very hard, heavy, strong, extremelyrigid, and rather difficult to work . . . used extensively inshipbuilding and engineering works in Australia; and in thiscountry (England) it is employed in the mercantile navy forbeams, keelsons, and . . . below the line of flotation.»
1883. G. W. Rusden, `History of Australia,' vol. i. p. 77:
«The ironbark ( Eucalyptus sideroxylon) became from itsdurability a synonym for toughness.»
1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xxvii. p. 248:
«The corrugated stems of the great ironbark trees stood blackand columnar.»
1893. `The Age,' May 11, p. 7, col. 3, (advt.):
«Monday, 15th May. – – Supply in one or more contracts of not lessthan 20 beams of 400 ironbark or box beams for cattle pits,delivered at any station. Particulars at the office of theEngineer for Existing Lines.»
With qualifications. Silver-leaved – – 1847. L. Leichhardt, `Overland Expedition,' p. 65:
«The silver-leaved ironbark ( Eucalyptus pulverulentus)was here coming into blossom.»
Narrow-leaved – – 1847. Ibid. p. 154:
«The narrow-leaved ironbark [grew] on a lighter sandy soil.»
n. a name given byLeichhardt to the Queensland tree Erythrophaeumlaboucherii, F. v. M., N.O. Legumin...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
n. a name given to the Queensland tree Eucalyptus staigeriana, F. v. M., N.O. Myrtaceae. See Ironba...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris